What lamp do I want....?  

be different - how about a...
be different - how about a Peter Nelson desk lamp - back in production after a brief hiatus

love it Paulanna but I...
love it Paulanna but I really need one that goes over my head and shines right on the book 🙁

I love purchasing MCM that...
I love purchasing MCM that is NOT mainstream. Like this pair of Ron Rezek Lamps.

I shall prepare to be beaten with comment about my low-brow tastes, but...
Ikea makes a lamp that bears a lot of resemblance to the Tolomeo. It's a good price, and it functions perfectly for what you are asking as it's exactly how I use mine.
I can't see the point of spending more when this product does the job perfectly and looks good doing it.
A link to the desk version is below, they don't have the floor version for sale on the site but you can see it in the 7th picture of the 'living room' slide series.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60067498

I prefer
I prefer the old style architects lamps that you can get at any art/design store. Like Olive says, they do the job and are pretty to look at. Definitely set them in the all socket - the clamp always feels a little cheap, and never works as well as it should.

Yeah, what she said -
I?m with Olive on this one. Buy something that is acceptable and useful for now and hold off for that stellar piece that only comes your way with time and effort.
Lamps are a terrific detail and since chairs have overrun my home, now I also have a lamp addiction. Spend some time looking through books and studying the photos.
I have begun to appreciate that shape is more important than a specific design or brand. With this new insight and a sharpened eye, I have found some terrific lights that don?t all scream look at me, but rather help to unify the space while providing illumination.
I use dimmers on everything allowing me to adjust the illumination for any mood including high intensity focused task use. I am an avid user of up-lighting and bouncing indirect illumination wherever I can manage.
It is tempting to fill your space with the classics. And if you choose well there is no harm as they can always be rearranged and used differently as your style and taste develops. For me, I am enjoying discovering the orphans of yesterday or nicely proportioned contemporary products that are cost effective and adaptable.
Good Luck.

Thanks all! I agree, I'd...
Thanks all! I agree, I'd much rather have a lamp with a bit of character for my needs and if I see something special I will buy it. My home is filled with retro lamps which I love (no icons but I love them nonetheless :-, I also have at least four (two pretty old and two Ikea)architect lamps (one above my head as we speak). However I feel I deserve a bit of a splurge and I think I'll go with the Berenice with the ivory glass reflector for my bedside lamp. My kids are definitely getting those Ikea 'antifoni' for their room, very cool at a nice price 🙂

The Carwardine Anglepoise -...
The Carwardine Anglepoise - absolute perfection

although I personally prefer...
although I personally prefer a Bestlite

Daphine: Tommaso Cimini 1975
I like the yellow version however its nice in all black also
http://www.conranshop.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=362764&cid=Task&lang...